REVIEW: P90X – Ten Years Later

Before the long list of 60 and 90 day fitness programs, heck…even before the most trusted name in fitness: the Shake Weight, there was the original P90X. That was back in 2004. Wow, hard to believe the original P90X is now a decade old and yet is still selling like…well, not selling like a Shake Weight.

Sad to say, the original review for P90X on this site was pretty unimpressive as it was back in the day I never really did workout reviews. Not now baby. Today DysfunctionalParrot.com is the premiere source for home fitness video reviews and thanks to you all I did not have to get my hands dirty with multi-level marketing to do it.

Now that I’m done self-gratifying congratulating myself, it’s time to break down the P90X system and see how each workout holds up ten years later. At last…the review that was always meant to be. For your benefit, every workout program mentioned here is also reviewed on this site and I have peppered the links throughout this review.

Chest and Back

Yep, even ten years later I have yet to see one top the original Chest and Back. It’s two rounds of 12 moves alternating between pull ups and push ups. This is without a doubt one of the toughest workouts in P90X and for good reason: it’s just pushing and pulling until your upper body wants to die. Even now I still want to puke after “Heavy Pants”. I’m not sure a workout like this can ever get old!

I highly advise getting some decent push-up bars and not the kind used in the video. This was made before Tony created his new push-up stands ( I have the old metal ones! Haa!! They rock!! ). The kind used here are very unstable as I learned on my own. Also invest in a pull-up system that is NOT a $10 doorway bar from WalMart. Spend a little cash on either the P90X bar or something that resembles it because you will not regret it.

What also makes Chest and Back come together is the perfect blend of the cast. Bobby, Scotty and Moraine are never more than just some fun people you like to work out with and that makes this DVD easy to pop in time after time. Bobby’s the fun quiet guy who doesn’t punch Tony right between the eyes for accusing him of “Doggin’ it”, Scotty loves okra, and Moraine is a sweet young lady ( wait…she’s a porn star??? ) who doesn’t act like she invented cold fusion for only doing ten reps. Ohh just wait. I’m getting there…

Plyo X

You can just about trace every incarnation of plyometric videos for the past decade right back to Plyo X and for good reason. Plyo does more to make you explosively fast than anything else. I remember the first time I did Plyo X. Damn near killed me and even today it still can give me a run for my money.

So how does Plyo X hold up after ten years of imitators? Surprisingly well actually. In fact, it stands at the top in many ways as it does not try to dilute itself with cardio, but rather focuses entirely on what you wanted in the first place…plyometrics. Most post-Plyo X videos try to add a heavy dose of cardio which means one can have half a tank going into focused plyo moves. This is one of the consequences of certain Insanity workouts. Tony just keeps it pure and that’s why it still works.

Plus, it’s hard to slack off when Eric is going strong with a prosthetic leg.

Shoulders and Arms

Be sure to warm up those shoulders. Maybe do it like a pterodactyl backing out of trouble…

Yes, well…let’s just move past that awkward moment and continue with the review of an otherwise top notch workout. Shoulders and Arms is about as close to a traditional weight routine as it comes. 95% of all the moves involve low reps and high weight. Most workouts since have the opposite objective which is probably better for ladies, but us dudes want a bit of mass. Tony shows both options so everyone comes out a winner here.

Oh yes, and don’t forget the tip of the day…

There is a lot of talk out there about Tony gushing over Drea a little thick and I suppose there is some merit to that. I think Tony is just a flirting kind of guy and means nothing by it. He’s Italian after all.

Yoga X

If moaning and bitching about Yoga X’s 90 minute runtime were currency Tony would live on a mountain of gold-plated Unobtanium. Despite the genius behind Yoga X, it will forever be clouded by the weeping and gnashing of those who cannot look past the time on the clock.

For anyone who has sucked it up and gone the whole round, by the time it is over something wonderful happens. An entire 90 minutes is spent focusing on something else besides work, kids, or the even the neighbourhood emergency evacuation order. It is a truly remarkable feeling that is hard to get in only 30 or 45 minutes.

However, time is something we all must abide by and 90 minutes makes this a non-starter for many people, myself included now that my schedule includes 4 kids, trying to finish a novel and learning guitar for no justifiable reason whatsoever. Fortunately Tony has come out with many other yoga incarnations so feel free to explore some of them. Just don’t ignore yoga entirely lest you grow old before your time and whenever possible, go back to Yoga X.

Legs and Back

If I could sum up Legs and Back it would be “Single Leg Wall Squats”…

Ten years later this workout still terrifies me. When you do repeated sets of leg presses and pull-ups you are going after 2 large muscle groups so be sure to have some kind of pre-workout drink before tackling this if you want to get the most out of it and not drop to the floor in exhaustion.

Back and Biceps

Yes, we have Katie who has been branded as the Jar Jar Binks of P90X. But we also have Bobby Stevenson so that makes up for it. Yes, Bobby Stevenson is the epitome of manly cool in any workout, ready to break out the 40-pounds for strip-set curls to keep up with take-a-break-Tony and be big enough to say “screw that, going for 30’s next time”. Bobby can borrow my chain-saw, take my kids out for ice-cream and hit on my wife at the neighbourhood BBQ. It’s cool.

Sure, Katie treats ten basic arm curls like she just climbed Mt. Freaking Everest barefoot but if you can get past that then you will find a workout that is brutal and yet fun. If your arms had an ass then Back and Biceps would kick it.

And no matter what the cost, I will always do 11 reps. Not teeeeeeeeeennnn! It’s just a matter of principle.

Chest Shoulders and Triceps

Tony may have the occasional antics, but this particular crew is having none of that. With Phil as their Frozen Golem Overlord, this cast is cold as ice. Too early in the morning maybe? Laura might have a case of laryngitis? Phil lost a big court case? Sigh…just no smiles in this video. DP sad.

Still, this one is a killer with pushups, curls and presses. No moves repeat so the fun stays fresh even when Phil tells Tony to get lost. Ha! What a comedian that Phil!

Cardio X

I love P90X. I really do. But sadly I am not a fan of Cardio X.

Cardio X is perfect if you’re new to fitness because it is not going to trash you so in that sense it is actually perfect. There’s a bit of yoga to warm up, some Kenpo moves and a bit of low impact plyo. But if you’re at all experienced with Beachbody’s other offerings then Cardio X will quickly fall to the wayside. Even a T25 Alpha routine will kick the ever loving pants off Cardio X. And should you be a fan of Asylum or Insanity then well…don’t bother unless you’re running a really bad hay-fever.

Core Synergistics

Co-starring Pam…and I doubt they call her Blam. This workout is as one would expect a core assault by going after multiple muscle groups at the same time. No exercises repeat. It certainly seems that since this workout arrived a lot of fitness programs have seen the benefit of core routines and have followed suit. This one requires a bit of concentration to insure core engagement and the better you get at it the harder it might seem. That only means you’re doing it right.

Kenpo X

This one was doomed for me from the start because I am a martial arts snob of the Tenth Degree. I took nearly fifteen years of traditional karate taught by form-obsessed old school instructors so when Wesley does a horse stance that is practically standing up, I find myself yelling at the screen in Japanese for him to do 30 push ups and then get up and do it right.

Kenpo X is what you would expect: punches, kicks and combos. It’s pretty light on the actual cardio but might suit a beginner just starting out who needs to work on flexibility and co-ordination. From interviews since, I gather even Tony was a bit unimpressed by the outcome of Kenpo X given that he has since revisited the idea in the P90X+ series and again in the recent P90X3 which has Alice and the rest of the cast helping out as skilled martial artists.

AB Ripper X

You hate it but you love it. Amazing how after all these years there is hardly an ab routine out there that doesn’t borrow from this at least in part. This one might feel a bit repetitious fairly soon but that’s not a knock against it’s quality. In fact I would say that out of P90X/2/3 this would be the most difficult of the bunch.

CONCLUSION

Yes, even after ten years you cannot deny P90X still has the goods even when compared to a mountain of imitators that have followed in its wake. The fact that the program has spawned so many 90 day programs is a testament to it’s successful formula. Some of those programs are extremely good and would not have come to be otherwise. Some are just plain awful and well…I guess that’s the way things go.

The production quality still holds up but be mindful that this was originally made for DVD and the now thankfully dead VHS format. So don’t think you can play it on a 50 inch Panasonic HDTV and get to see the pores on Tony’s face. This is standard non-HD format so just keep that in mind. P90X2 and X3 have since gone the HD route.

The cast is very competent in all the videos and they really did use a test group to iron the bugs out before going in front of the cameras. The attention to detail is incredible and this tradition has carried on for most Beachbody programs since. In fact, it is this OCD attitude when it comes to detail that makes other programs often look like cheap shoots done in a basement.

Would I recommend this today? You bet I would. Although I would also mention that there are a multitude of other options available to fill some of the gaps in P90X, in particular the cardio options. In fact, P90X is the perfect program to hybridize with practically any fitness program out there from RushFit, Asylum, UFC Fit, Body Beast, Focus T25, etc. Interchangeability between P90X2 and X3 are of course a given. It’s also a tip of the hat to Tony Horton who even after all these years looks practically the same! So if you want a program that is great on its own and yet still incredibly modifiable then P90X is still holding strong even tens years later. That’s pretty impressive when you consider how so many other programs have disappeared after a much shorter time frame.

About Author

John Paul Parrot( aka. The Dysfunctional Parrot ) is a disgruntled Systems Analyst who wanders the Canadian wastelands saving small villages with the power of Kung Fu. His chair is also a little too close to the twenty year old microwave. As you can well imagine, this has had certain side effects.

Related Posts

man…. looking at legs and back again made me shudder that was/still is one tough. One of my favorite fitness breakthroughs was in YogaX where I could actually do Warrior 3 all the way through without falling. Would you say YogaX is the best of the 3 P90Xs so far in terms of fun? Huge fan of your reviews keep up the good work!

DjHITMAN

I’m personally a fan of X2 Yoga. X1 is great if you have the time, plus the second half is actually relaxing. X2 feels like more of a “workout” than X1; X3 is not challenging AT ALL, so I didn’t like that one.

Downtown Oliver

P90X changed my life, therefore, I have hardly anything negative at all to say about it. The knock against Cardio X is valid, but when you consider it’s purpose in the program, exclusively for doubles or lean routine, then the majority (anybody following the classic schedule) won’t experience it. It’s perfect for doubles morning workouts, which I’ve completed 2 rounds of over the years.

I feel the original P90X has the best strength videos. X3 the best cardio and X2 the best core fitness. I have all three so I frequently combine them to make the best hybrid. I often mix T25, Asylum and Body Beast to further mix it up because one can only take so much Tony!

The best results would probably come from P90X2 due to the solid core fitness and good strength it delivers.

DP, you get a lot of questions asking about various rankings, contrasts, and comparisons of different programs and workouts. For instance, the “which is better” question about X, X+, X2, and X3 is almost possible to answer objectively. Each program shares common templates, philosophies, results, etc. The three sequels are more like alternatives of the original, and I think that’s what makes them all special.

I like your thoughts on hybridization and combinations. I do a little bit of that myself. For instance, I interchange the yogas and ab rippers at will.

P90X Rocks! Every workout is challenging and fun to do. Yes, every workout, even Cardio X raises my heartbeat and makes me sweat in the final 10 minutes. It’s better than sitting around on the couch eating potato chips.

P90X+ is the perfect compliment for somebody desiring additional variety but not wanting to invest in another full program. I wish they had either added a new yoga or recovery disc, but that is not a deal-breaker.

P90X2 is a monster, and if one is willing to risk breaking their own wrists working with medicine balls and stability balls, then go for it! Probably my personal favorite of the 4.

IMHO, P90X3 is the weakest of the bunch. I understand it’s value as a 30 minute program, but I just didn’t like it as much. I DO NOT HATE IT! I just didn’t enjoy it compared to the others. Select workouts are outstanding – the challenge, isometrix, yoga, and MMX come to mind, but the others are throwaways.

I suspect that P90X will continue to sell into the next decade, and the others will fade away.

What do you think, DP? Do you still stand by your ratings? (see below)

At this point yes, I would stand by the current ratings. I still find X2 to be the most comprehensive package. X3 serves its purpose, but I wouldn’t use it as my main program long term although some parts of it such as Yoga and Pilates can certainly be done any time.

Downtown Oliver

X2 is my favorite. P90X is a close second. I generally don’t like X3, although I like select workouts.

The last four weeks I’ve been following the 10 Minute Trainer Schedule – 3 per day except on Day 3 I always do X3 Yoga. I’m getting better results just doing 10MT and pull ups 3x a week, than I did with a full round of X3,

As always, appreciate your posts. So much on the same page with you on Legs and Back, and thought that was the hardest leg workout I had ever done. That is until I did Body Beast Legs.

With an upcoming P90 reboot, I’m curious if P90X will ultimately get a facelift. If so, I think we can guess what gets tossed.

Isaiah

Hey DP, I’m 19 and over weight I’m starting T25 next week. Eventually once I reach my goal I want to mix most of the beach body workouts after completing them. So my question is what is the best way to mix these. This is for future reference. (Also want to mix the MMA workouts too)

Kass

You are absolutely hilarious. I’ve yet to read a fitness review that made me laugh so much…and I read a lot of fitness reviews, sadly. My fiancé asked what I was reading and when I told him p90x2 reviews he asked…why are you laughing so much? Anyways, thanks for the great review and endless laughs.

mukund

can you do a review on athlean x

James Donlon

Jean Paul, thanks for this homage to the now-classic P90X. I got such great results from P90X that I could not wait to up the ante with X2 and try new things with X3. Turns out that while these programs added nice variety, I still get the best results from a hybrid rooted solidly in good old P90X.

I particularly appreciate some of the alternatives/comparators you identified for the workouts. I will try to incorporate some new ideas inspired by your suggestions. In that spirit, may I suggest some alternatives of my own for some of those workouts?

Another nice alternative to Plyo X is Triometrics from P90X3. I am always surprised by how challenging that one can be (like, this morning!). And it is not as relentlessly high-impact as other plyo workouts, which helps those of us with aging knees and hips!

Totally agree on Cardio X — almost anything will do if you just want a better cardio option. I submit that for those with access to X3, CVX is a great way to get a cardio workout incorporating a little resistance (utilizing, say, a small dumbbell or a medicine ball).

A final comment in appreciation of your review of Yoga X. I have come to really respect and appreciate Yoga X. I was first introduced to yoga through this workout. After that, seeking variety (and time savings) I branched out to many different alternatives. I find that when I return to Yoga X, I realize how surprisingly effective and challenging this yoga routine is. It is well worth the 90 minute investment in
yourself, as you so aptly say.

Keep up the good work on these insightful and entertaining reviews! They have guided some of my workout program choices over the past year, and I have had great results. Much appreciated.

Snake

Thank you for bearing our flag well! been doin p90x since high school .. its always easy to get you back in shape.. a martial arts enthusiast myself

holyguy7

I have to say that I have done a number of workout programs before starting P90X. Perhaps that was my problem. I was doing P90X/Insanity hybrid while my wife was doing Insanity/Asylum Vol. 1 & 2 hybrid. I always looked forward to my Insanity workouts but my P90X workouts I can only describe as BORING. The only reason I started the P90X was because of all the workouts I was doing, my back was not getting worked enough. So, I broke down and purchased a pull-up bar and I am glad I did. However, I noticed that on some of the Asylum workouts, Shawn was using a pull up bar as well. So after two weeks of my wife going on her schedule, I followed her and did Insanity/Asylum. I just got finished with it and I think I am ready to start P90X2 now. I think it will be fun using the ball and some of the other tools. I just hope that P90X2 is not as BORING as P90X was to me. However, out of all the P90X workouts, Chest and Back was the hardest. All those pushups and pull ups in one workout was great. I think most of the workouts could have been done in 40 minutes rather than an hour. My main complaint about Asylum workouts is that I just HATED using the agility ladder.

P90X2 is much more enjoyable than P90X in my opinion. The attention to core development is unparalleled.

However, keep in mind that when it comes to cardio, Shaun T is king. If core cardio is what you want, maybe look at the new Insanity: Max 30. No ladder either!

holyguy7

I think when it comes to Insanity. I will wait for Asylum Max 30 which you and I KNOW they will come out with seeing as they purposefully left out any resistance training from Insanity Max 30. They did the same thing when they came out with the original Insanity. It was not a well rounded workout program.

So now we know what is coming next from Shawn T. The real question is when.

I like the use every week of the pull up bar and I wish to continue to incorporate that training into future workouts. My back is much stronger now.

So my problem is that I want a workout program that apparently does not exist. I want to keep my cardio and strength gains from Insanity and asylum without repeating that workout again. I just wish Tony had at least one good cardio workout like Shawn T has. I guess Plyocide will have to do.

Garrett

Shaun T’s newest program is CIZE :) 4 week dance program, branded as “The End of Exercise”. Going back to his HHA roots.

We’ll probably see him do another heavy hitting cardio-type program next year or something.

Hawkman

I think I read somewhere that (maybe) Tony, or someone involved with beachbody, admitted technically, even though cardio was one of the names, there weren’t any cardio workouts in p90x. I believe the reasoning was that they knew this wasn’t something like bodybeast, & since huge muscles weren’t automatically a given when JUST doing 30 reps. of push-up variations, using strength bands, etc., rather than bench pressing 350lbs., they didn’t want to subtract from any muscle gains by adding in calorie burning cardio that could have been used to build more size. In other words, while this is a overall FITNESS program & not a turn you into HULK program, they still wanted you to have a visible difference in muscle tone after 90 days.

Bob Lawblah

I think it’s more so that Tony doesn’t specialize in cardio. None of his cardio workouts are particularly challenging and he seems to gas out pretty quickly, as opposed to doing something ridiculous like 40 pull-ups, which he can seemingly do in his sleep. The logic that cardio impacts gaining is pretty much a myth if you aren’t doing marathon-style endurance training.

Hawkman

Perhaps, but I think most people would be satisfied to be at his fitness level no matter the age. I just can’t believe he recently married, lol. That can turn into a financial crisis.

John

DP,
What results would one get if they followed the P90X strength workouts throughout the 90 days, but did their own cardio on those days.
Like run sprints one, do a kickboxing bag workout another day, and replaced P90X yoga with a good 45 stretching routine?
Also, my 62 year old uncle wants to do P90X.
Is it a program one could follow indefinitely?
Lastly, which gives the most bang for your buck.
P90X or Body Beast?

By doing your own cardio instead of P90X options, you would almost assuredly get VASTLY superior results.

Don’t get me wrong…I love P90X. But wow, the cardio options are just not enough. Kenpo X and Cardio X are great for beginners only. Intermediate and above should absolutely do something else. Max 30, T25, treadmill, etc. Right now I’m trying battle ropes and might even write an article on them in the future.

As for bang for the buck…depends on your goal. P90X is the best for functional fitness. Even better, go for P90X2. Body Beast is best for straight muscle. Often a hybrid works for most people.

elctronyc

Hello, excellent review. I always avoided this workout because of the time, I guess is matter of waking up 30 minutes earlier. I am replacing the workout on tuesdays and thrusdays (Plyometrics and Yoga x) for Max 30: Cardio Challenge and Max 30: sweat intervals. Since I am working my legs in these two workouts. Can I replace the legs and back workout on fridays with another set of shoulders and arms? What do you think? thank you

None of these workouts are written in stone, so yes, you can do that. As long as you provide your muscles the proper nutrition and rest I see no problem.

John

Can I add bag punching twice a week while doing p90x or will it hinder gains?
Simple 20 minutes of heavy bag.
And what day would it best fit in?
Talked to a golden gloves boxer that said he used p90x to get ready for his matches, which he won.
Said he did p90x in the mornings and went to the PAL 3 evenings per week just to spar 3-4 rounds and leave.
Didn’t do anything else at the boxing gym.
Swears by p90x.
Claims than any combat athlete can do p90x and do their boxing or grappling 2-3 days and it will be sufficient to get in fighting shape.
You agree DP?

As long as you give your body the proper rest and nutrition, I don’t see an issue. Years back I used P90X in combination with my karate training and I found the results were very impressive. Took me to another level I never thought I could reach. Wished I had something like that years earlier.

Anthony Gerard

I have both Body Beast and P90X3. I’ve never actually done the original P90X and am interested in it , however I’m not too crazy about forking over another $140. My question is, if I were to blend the Body Beast workouts with some of the P90X3 cardio workouts like MMX, Agility X, etc, would I would get similar results to the original P90X? I realize Body Beast and P90X offer completely different styles of weight and strength training. And while I don’t hate the resistance workouts in P90X3, I kind of like the workouts where you train specific body parts, like in Body Beast and P90X. So, do you think a Body Beast/P90X3 hybrid as I’ve presented would bring similar P90X results.?

Yes, I would think that a BB/X3 hybrid would accomplish much the same goals. To be honest, the cardio options in the original P90X are awful ( Cardio X/Kenpo X…ugh ) X3 is far superior in that area and BB will pick up the weight training slack.

Sherry Shrinkingchefpants Fran

Check out the TeamBeachbody site the beginning of June. There is a big summer sale every year with a strangely specific list of items, but I picked up a spare set of P90X and P90X+ as a bundle for around $50 last year. This year I got Insanity for around $40.

Joe Smith

How do you feel after doing so many programs, BB ones & others, about Plyo X at this point? I highly doubt you would give it a thumbs down or anything, but does it still stand among the best plyo-focused workouts you’ve done? I’m actually getting back on the 90X wagon tomorrow & was considering swapping that one with 1 of several Shaun T’s discs I have now. In other words, with Max 30 & both Asylums in my “library”, I’m not convinced it’s intense enough unless you’re a beginner.

Plyo X is still good, although in comparison to what BB has come out with since is is absolutely positioned as a beginner/intermediate workout. Any Shaun T workout in general is more intense from a plyometric standpoint. I remember almost dying when I first did Plyo X but it feels much easier now. That’s good news I guess!

RJ

Mr. Parrot,
I am looking for my next work out fix. I really want some more muscle definition. I am mid 30’s 126 lbs. I have completed Turbo Fire, all the insanity’s, Les Mills Combat, Chalene Extreme, Tap Out XT and Piyo. Although I am slim, none of these have given me muscle definition. I was thinking about trying p90x. I am also in TKD and practice at the dojo 3 x’s a week. What would your recommendation be?

RJ

Mr. Parrot,
I am looking for my next work out fix. I really want some more muscle definition. I am mid 30’s 126 lbs. I have completed Turbo Fire, all the insanity’s, Les Mills Combat, Chalene Extreme, Tap Out XT and Piyo. Although I am slim, none of these have given me muscle definition. I was thinking about trying p90x. I am also in TKD and practice at the dojo 3 x’s a week. What would your recommendation be?